reaching Glebeland Farm, go through a gate. Cross the field diagonally right, to reach another gate. Scramble up the Cwmafon steep bank on the other side to reach a path which swings 3hr around to the left, giving a less steep climb up the incline. WALK Cwmafon Heritage Just beyond the wooden fences and Victorian stone embankment walls you reach the level of another old Difficulty of walk - 2 (easy) railway. This railway is described on OS maps as a ‘Mineral Heritage Trail Railway’, and was opened in 1878. The whole area was once a maze of rail and tramways, serving the various mines and other egin at Capel Newydd viewpoint parking area and industrial works. Today these old railway lines are used for the Trail Bpicnic site, on Llanover Road about 1.5 miles outside Torfaen Leisure Route (National Cycle Network Route 46), Blaenavon. which runs the length of the Borough, for walkers, cyclists and Torfaen South East Wales A non-conformist chapel was built here around 1750 by two horse-riders to use and enjoy. Turn left and follow the cycle wealthy ladies of Blaenafon. An iron cross is all that remains of way for a mile or more. Look out for reminders of the Victorian the chapel, but the site is still known locally and marked on maps golden age of railway architecture in the bridges, embankment as Capel Newydd. This chapel once served the valley around Blaenavon as the chapel of ease for Llanofer Church. In 1860, it was abandoned and its stone was quietly robbed to repair other buildings in the area. The site has not been completely abandoned as occasional open-air services are still held at the cross. From the parking area, and facing the cross, turn right along the road, back towards Blaenavon as far as the corner of the conifer plantation. Follow the edge of the plantation downhill, keeping close to the fence. Cross a stile in the corner and turn left through mixed broadleaved woodland. Go down a flight of wooden steps to the right. On the right is © Wales Tourist Board a well-preserved example of a limekiln. Burning lime for sale as a fertilizer was an industry followed by many people in agricultural or industrial areas. This area of woodland has many mature and very beautiful beech trees. # # # # # Follow the path downhill at the waymark post. Continue # # # # between stone walls, passing a ruined building. Just beyond # # # join a wide track above a larch plantation. Turn right and pass a well-built barn. This is part of the Blaenafon Community Woodland, and areas owned by the Forestry Commission, but involving the local community in its management and access arrangements. Take a left fork alongside the barn, a path through larch woodland, and then mature beech trees. Turn left over a stone wall and over a gate to join the road. Cross over carefully and through a gate opposite onto a drive. Cross the Os hoffech gopi o’r ffurflen yn Gymraeg, cysylltwch a’r^ Explore our footbridge over the Afon Lwyd and follow the drive around Gwasanaethau Cefn Gwlad Torfaen to the right, alongside the river for a short distance. Cross an old fenced railway line, following the path around to the Countryside right. This railway was the Eastern Valley Line, opened in 1854 Layout & Design by e-Graphics, Torfaen County Borough ©2006 and connecting Blaenafon and Pontypool with Newport. Before © Wales Tourist Board Tr ac Path walls and culverts. Binoculars may be handy if you are interested in spotting birds and the fine k 0 0.5km Countryside Code views of Cwmafon Reservoir. This provided drinking water for the village and Forge Row on the Quarry (disused) hillside opposite, a showpiece of early industrial housing. • Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work; Tr N ac Leave the old railway immediately after the second bridge over the line. This old path, k • Guard against all risk of fire; which connects Cwmafon with Varteg, is still known locally and is marked on Ordnance Survey • Leave all gates and property as you find them; maps as “The Snail Creep”. Turn right down the steep, winding path. The bridge abutments are Walk Start • Keep your dogs under close control, preferably on a lead finely built and it is interesting to note that the path was lit by street lamps! The path reaches the Parking & Finish Area as there may be other animals along the route; main road next to the West Lake Arms, which could make a convenient lunch stop, about • Keep to public paths; half way round the walk. Path Blaenavon Community Woodland Monument When you are ready to continue, cross the road and the bridge over the Afon Lwyd. Pass Tyr-hodd • Use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges and walls; Farm a fine terrace of ironstone cottages on the left, just past the entrance to the old Westlake Brewery. Barn • Leave livestock and machinery alone; Tr Follow the road until it peters out into a path. Follow the path steeply uphill, cross a track, ack • Take your litter home; passing the farm Pistyll Gwyn on the right and through a gate. Continue upwards on the Tr Glebeland ac • Help to keep all water clean; old Llanover (parish) Road, which is now a concrete ‘road’. Behind can be seen the Varteg, k Farm Craig whose tips are a result of an opencast mining operation of 1948. • Protect wildlife, plants and trees; • Take special care on country roads. Near the top of the hill is a deserted farm – Pen-y-Rheol Medwyn. Bear left at the Quarry Quarry (disused) (disused) waymark post across open mountain country, heading at first towards the conifer Path Path Advice for Walkers woodland. This path is waterlogged for much of the year, follow the waymarks carefully. Path To get the most enjoyment from walking and exploring The path swings right, uphill again. Almost parallel with the radio mast is a crossroads Torfaen’s varied countryside, making use of an ordnance of paths. On a clear day, beyond the mast, the Severn Estuary can be seen. Turn left along Path Ty Michael survey map is strongly recommended. The countryside can another wet, muddy, but this time well trodden path, and continue for some distance, Kiln Farm Cwmavon (dis) Reservoir change rapidly and way-markers can easily be missed. keeping the conifer wood on the left. k ac Path Tr Path Ensure that you wear appropriate clothing and sturdy On reaching the corner of the plantation continue on straight keeping the plantation Tr ac footwear in case of muddy and slippery surfaces. on your left. This is part of the Old Packhorse Trail from Medieval times, pigs or ingots of iron k Path would have to be transported by mule or packhorses, carrying up to 150 kgs each in panniers Walking is a perfect activity to improve your physical health, slung either side of their bodies. Teams of up to 100 animals may have made up a train that would it can help your circulation and maintain a healthy heart! Furlong Wood have transported the metal down the valley from Blaenavon to Newport, from where it could then be Dismantled R Some of the paths referred to are not Public Rights of Way Path transported by water. On reaching the tarmac road (Llanover Road) turn left. Continue on for a but are permissive paths or are across common land which Quarry short distance and you will arrive back at Capel Newydd, the start point. (disused) ailway enjoys open access. Path Weir Public Transport Torfaen has a good network of public transport. To plan your Cwmavon Path House journey visit www.traveline.org.uk. Path Tourist Information Centre Blaenavon Tourist Information Centre provides information Path on days out, attractions, accommodation, activities and route Path planning in the area. Mast Tel: 01495 792615, or visit: www.blaenavontic.com Weir Works Website For information on other circular walks in Torfaen, as well Pistyll-gwyn as details of the various activities in the area, visit the Tr ack Penrhoel-Medwyn Countryside Services website at:- Tr Pub Beili-glas ack Craig y Felin www.countryside.torfaen.gov.uk Snail Creep.